Carl Alesbrook, now 18, appeared at Derby Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where he was also charged with two counts of causing grievous bodily harm to Elijah Shemwell.

He is alleged to have attacked and wounded Elijah between November 18 2021 and January 2 2022, and on New Year's Day 2022.

The four-month-old died in hospital on January 5 2022, three days after officers were called to an address in Acorn Drive, Belper, to a report a young baby was in cardiac arrest, Derbyshire Police said.

Elijah's mother, India Shemwell, 22, was charged with two counts of cruelty to a person under 16.

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She was in a relationship with Alesbrook at the time of Elijah's death and is due to appear in court in October, police have said.

Dressed in a blue hooded tracksuit, Alesbrook entered no pleas and spoke only to give his name and address to the court.

At one stage, he was told by District Judge Andrew Meachin to take his hands out of his pockets.

He is expected to appear at Derby Crown Court on Thursday.